To comply with a FIFA prohibition on branding, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was renamed “New York New Jersey Stadium.” New Jerseyans were not surprised.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

New Yorkers, from bartenders to teenagers to TV celebrities, turned the city orange and blue in an unusual but welcome sign of unity.

© Kaja Andric for The New York Times

Qualifying for the world’s biggest sporting event meant everything for residents of the Caribbean island country.

© Annegret Hilse/Reuters

John Sorochan, a turf scientist at the University of Tennessee, has led the yearslong, multimillion-dollar effort to develop perfect playing fields for the 2026 World Cup.